Last week Archbishop Perez issued a pastoral letter on racial healing entitled, “We are one Body”. I recommend reading it at here. You can access it by going to the Archdiocese website archphila.org

In his letter the Archbishop states that racism is a sin and that we Catholics should be committed to confronting and eradicating racism. He urges us as individuals and as a Catholic community to study and reflect on racism and to take actions against racism.

It is striking that Archbishop Perez does not merely condemn racism “out there”, in society and in secular institutions. He admits that people have suffered from racism within the Church. Archbishop Perez says:

I echo the sentiments of many Church leaders over the years by extending a deep apology to all who have been wounded by racist words or deeds— subtle or overt, intentional or unintentional, sins of commission and omission—particularly those committed by members of our faith community. Like the Prodigal Son, we have sinned against heaven and against you, and we ask your pardon and God’s. With God’s help, we resolve to do better. To combat racism, we must embark on a journey of conversion that will require prayerful reflection, unflinching examination of conscience, and a commitment to unlearning conscious and unconscious biases that may have taken root in each of us. Accomplishing this goal will take hard spiritual work, by each of us and by all of us. It’s important to recognize that change will take time, but that should not hinder us because we know that “nothing is impossible for God.” Our faith is based on hope, and hope does not disappoint. Let us begin now. During these years of the global Synod, Pope Francis has called us to listening, dialogue, prayer, and discernment as we walk together to build the Church of tomorrow. Let us direct these same actions toward eradicating racism.

What is our response to racism in the Church? Surely we have people who worship with us at Saint John’s who have been wounded. Moreover, some of us have done the wounding. And there are others who have been wounded and who no longer gather with us. What is our response to them?

I am not sure what we as Saint John the Evangelist Parish ought to do in response to the Archbishop’s letter. I am willing, even eager, to hear from anyone who has advice